Adaptive Cycling: Handcycles, Amputee Adaptation, Visual Impairment, and Other NeedsHave a need for adaptive equipment to ride to compensate for a disability or loss of limb or function? This area is for discussion among those of us in the cycling world that are coming back from traumatic circumstances and tell the world, "No, you are not going to beat me down!"

GF's son has only one usable arm and does not have opposable thumbs, 2 wheel bike OK?

My girlfriend's son was born with a congential heart defect which also caused him to have only one full arm and one tiny short arm with only part of a hand. The boy is twelve now. He doesn't have the greatest of balance as well. I know there are plenty of people who ride with only one arm but the catch is that his good arm doesn't have an opposable thumb. He has 5 fingers that all work the same so he can't wrap his whole hand and grasp something like most people can. He also doesn't have the strength that most people would have in their arm.

I'm worried that he in an emergency situation won't be able to control the bike. His mom though wants him to learn to ride a 2 wheel bike. I really think that something more akin to a tadpole bike would be better. A 3 wheeled recumbent.

If balance is any part of the equation I'm thinking a trike. I had one for a while when I needed that kind of seating and the balance of a three wheeler vs. 2. I think some kind of steering and breaking device could be adapted. Position of my hands on bike handlebars is huge re arthritis in my thumbs and fingers. The thumbs really get me sometimes are just not usable re gripping. In my case I can use some semi rigid or rigid thumb guards that don't allow for much bending and hold my thumbs in extension. I've rode my hybrid and mountain bikes with these and used the base of my hands for most function but is kind of tough. I'd check out what adaptations can be made as perhaps suggested in some previous posts.

I'm with the Mom! Probably the most important thing to the kid is to be like other kids. If he's on a trike the teasing from the other kids will be overwhelming. Let him try, he probably won't get going fast enough to hurt himself. You might be surprised at what he's able to do. If it doesn't work out, then perhaps think trike.

I was playing with an idea for a nephew with one arm, but I never finished it to definitely say it would be a good solution.

I picked up a foot forward type bike. a 24" coaster brake sun beach cruiser at first, then a smaller 6sp huffy venice. the venice is discontinued and would take some searching to find I think there are a few other smaller foot forward type bikes around (don't know how big he is). with a seat that has a backrest on it. that way he wouldn't need to support any weight with his hands leaning on the bar. the backrest also holds you in place when trying to accelerate or push up hills (I put them on my own semi recumbents so I know that part works pretty good). I worked on a couple other things pertaining to it having gears and handbrakes, but his working hand is more able. a coaster might be a better deal for his situation.

i mean, why have gears and a brake lever when you can have a coaster brake? or even a kickback hub with coaster brake? he could use a pretty "normal" bike.

lack of an opposable thumb doesn't seem like that big a deal. a foot forward bike would definitely help with stability, but i think you could also get a bar setup that would work well enough - i'm trying to imagine what would be easiest to grip AND push forward against without a thumb, and a few things come to mind. it seems like what might actually be ideal is some very upright flat bars or maybe even bullhorns or bar extenders - that way he can bend his wrist to be able to push forward with his palm while still wrapping his fingers around most of the way.

The kids are not going to sneer at a decent trike but probably would for a "granny trike". It's not an inexpensive solution but there are higher seating tadpole trikes that are easy to get in and out of for someone with only one usable arm. There is a bike shop that deals with adaptive cycling mostly for returning vets but also for kids. Check out Power On Cycling in TN. Power On Cycling - Recumbents - Trikes - Accessories - Tennessee I've read a number of posts about adapting trikes to a single brake lever. That store may be able to give you some good ideas.

I think if he were to have some kind of glove on his good arm that has a thumb like hook so that he would be able to leverage his fingers around the handlebar to make a good grip would work. That way he could still use the brakes and not have to grasp the bar with his fingers so tightly.

Shimano makes an 8s Nexus Coaster Brake hub that I would build into either the trike, or bicycle (if he learns to ride a standard bike).
SRAM may have a 9s version. I'm not sure if it is still available.

Anyway, it can't hurt to try the kid on a bike. The worst thing that could happen would be he might fall off of it. Maybe try it on soft grass, although hard pavement is easier to ride on.

Some people learn to ride a "push bike". Take the pedals off, maybe the whole bottom bracket off, and get him used to pushing and coasting.

My nephew was slow learning to ride a bike. 8, I think. Anyway, I got him riding an afterburner trailer (Allycat Shadow). Your kid might be big for that, but you might try a cheap tandem. That would at least get him to balance some, hang on, and to pedal.

BTW:
If you ever make it down here to Eugene, CAT does do some custom adaptive bike building, although it isn't cheap.

A good way to learn to balance is remove the pedals on a normal bike, basically turning it into a skoot-bicycle. Once balance is learned then put the pedals back on. This is also a good technique for adults learning to ride.

I can ride my bike one-handed and without using my thumb as long as I'm riding upright. A tucked forward racing position would be really uncomfortable and harder to handle an emergency stop.

I'd go with a trike, too. My 8-year-old has autism, which affects his balance and coordination. After several seasons of attempts with different variations on balance bikes and training wheel setups, we got a Mobo Triton, which is a recumbent, rear-steer trike with hand brakes and push-pull steering.
It's not as racy as something like a CaTrike, but far less expensive.

Also, look for a local affiliate of ICanBike, or ICanShine, who organize day camps that teach disabled kids to ride 2-wheel bikes.

Have her find someone who knows how to use a 3D printer and works with people with disabilities. I work with a group here in Virginia that is making all sorts of items for people with disabilites using this type of printer. This is a very up and coming field. Look also for a local "Makerspace" which should have the knowledge to make what will help.

Utah Trikes also does special needs conversions. If he were adult-sized, I'd say a Windcheetah, which uses a joystick arrangement, might be adaptable for 1 1/2-handed control; and the joystick lays in the rider's lap, for easy access.

The Portland Handcycling organizers have try-out trikes (not just hand-powered) where you can look at different types of adaptations. RecumbentPDX also deals with trikes and adaptations. It's too late to register, but the Recumbent Retreat has bunches and bunches of friendly people who will practically mug you to give you a test ride.